Peace Corps Panama Welcome Book September 2009

THE PEACE CORPS WELCOMES YOU TO
Panama
A PEACE CORPS PUBLICATION FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS

September 2009
Panama MAP
A WELCOME LETTER
Dear Panam Invitee:
Congratulations on your invitation to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panam. If you accept this invitation, you
will be joining 160 Peace Corps Volunteers, ms o menos (more or less), working throughout the country to promote
sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, economic development, environmental health, and tourism and
English.
Panam is an incredible country rich in history and culture. Volunteers quickly fall in love with the people and natural
beauty of Panam, but also come to realize that they have much to offer. With more than 65 percent of Panams rural
population and 95 percent of the indigenous population living in poverty, there is much to be done.
Peace Corps/Panam works closely with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and
community partners to improve the lives of Panamaniansespecially those living in rural and indigenous areas. We
place 70 percent of Volunteers in communities in which more than 70 percent of the population lives in poverty. At
least 30 percent of Volunteers are placed with traditionally underserved indigenous groups, including the Ngbe,
Bugl, Ember, and Wounaan. These Volunteers learn the language of the indigenous group in addition to Spanish.
Others work with traditional Latino communities throughout the country.
Once you arrive, you will spend your first 10 weeks in traininga fun, intense, challenging, and rewarding
experience. You will have innumerable opportunities to learn about yourself, Panam, and its people. I ask each of
you to be open. Bring your sense of adventure and your sense of humor. Be prepared to work hard. I know from my
own experience as a Volunteer in Ecuador that you will be enlightened and humbled by your Volunteer experience.
This is not an easy job, and our expectations for you are high. We expect you to arrive with a commitment to work
professionally with your community partners and to be a role model and positive influence, earning the respect of
both community members and Volunteer peers.
Check out the website of former Panam Volunteers at www.panamapcv.net; you may want to contact some returned
Volunteers to learn more about service in Panam.
I look forward to your arrival and your work in Panam. Nos vemos pronto!
Brian T. Riley
Country Director
PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

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CONTENTS
A WELCOME LETTER .......................................................................................................................... 1

CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 2
CORE EXPECTATIONS FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.......................................................... 4
PEACE CORPS/PANAMA HISTORY AND PROGRAMS.................................................................. 5
History of the Peace Corps in Panam................................................................................................ 5
History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Panam .............................................................. 5
History .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Government .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Economy ............................................................................................................................................... 6
People and Culture................................................................................................................................ 6
Environment ......................................................................................................................................... 7
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION .................................................................................. 8
General Information About Panama..................................................................................................... 8
Connect With Returned Volunteers and Other Invitees ....................................................................... 8
LIVING CONDITIONS AND VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE................................................................ 11
Communications ................................................................................................................................. 11
Housing and Site Location.................................................................................................................. 11
Living Allowance and Money Management ...................................................................................... 12
Food and Diet ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Transportation..................................................................................................................................... 12
Geography and Climate ...................................................................................................................... 13
Social Activities.................................................................................................................................. 13
Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior ................................................................................................ 13
Personal Safety ................................................................................................................................... 14
Rewards and Frustrations ................................................................................................................... 14
PEACE CORPS TRAINING.................................................................................................................. 15
YOUR HEALTH CARE AND SAFETY IN PANAMA ...................................................................... 18
Health Issues in Panam ..................................................................................................................... 18
Helping You Stay Healthy.................................................................................................................. 18
Maintaining Your Health.................................................................................................................... 18
Womens Health Information ............................................................................................................. 19
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit ........................................................................................................... 19
Medical Kit Contents.......................................................................................................................... 19
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist............................................................................................ 20
Safety and SecurityOur Partnership................................................................................................ 21
Staying Safe: Dont Be a Target for Crime ........................................................................................ 22
Support from Staff .............................................................................................................................. 23
Preparing for the Unexpected: Safety Training and Volunteer Support in Panam.......................... 25
DIVERSITY AND CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES.............................................................................. 26
Overview of Diversity in Panam....................................................................................................... 26
What Might a Volunteer Face?........................................................................................................... 26
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS................................................................................................. 32
WELCOME LETTERS FROM PANAMA VOLUNTEERS ................................................................ 34
PACKING LIST ..................................................................................................................................... 39
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST ......................................................................................................... 42
Family ................................................................................................................................................. 42

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Passport/Travel ................................................................................................................................... 42
Medical/Health ................................................................................................................................... 42
Insurance............................................................................................................................................. 42
Personal Papers................................................................................................................................... 42
Voting ................................................................................................................................................. 42
Personal Effects .................................................................................................................................. 42
Financial Management........................................................................................................................ 43
Financial Management........................................................................................................................ 43
CONTACTING PEACE CORPS HEADQUARTERS.......................................................................... 44

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CORE EXPECTATIONS FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS
In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps Mission of promoting world peace and friendship, as a
trainee and Volunteer, you are expected to:
1. Prepare your personal and professional life to make a commitment to serve abroad for a full
term of 27 months
2. Commit to improving the quality of life of the people with whom you live and work; and, in
doing so, share your skills, adapt them, and learn new skills as needed
3. Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of hardship, if necessary, and
with the flexibility needed for effective service
4. Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based on the local trust
and confidence you build by living in, and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host
community and culture
5. Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your personal conduct
and professional performance
6. Engage with host country partners in a spirit of cooperation, mutual learning, and respect
7. Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps and the local and national laws of the
country where you serve
8. Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health, safety, and well-being and
that of others
9. Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community, as a representative
of the people, cultures, values, and traditions of the United States of America
10. Represent responsively the people, cultures, values, and traditions of your host country and
community to people in the United States both during and following your service

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PEACE CORPS/PANAMA
HISTORY AND PROGRAMS
History of the Peace Corps in Panam

The Peace Corps has a long history in Panam. The first Volunteers began work in 1963 and continued serving in
Panam until May 1971. In February 1990, the Panamnian government asked the Peace Corps to return, and the
program has continued without interruption ever since.
The central goal of Peace Corps/Panam is to promote sustainable community development, in partnership with
Panamnian agencies and NGOs, in Panams poorest and most disenfranchised regions. Each project has sector-
specific goals related to this commitment. Our vision is to be recognized as a development leader and partner of
choice that is committed to eradicating poverty, promoting social justice, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Our mission is to work in partnership with others to promote sustainable solutions in the areas of health, sanitation,
agriculture, environment, small business, tourism and teaching English, promoting the dignity of people and their
capacity to improve their own lives.
Panam came to a critical juncture in its history when the Panam Canal reverted back to Panam in 1999. Though
the country has enjoyed a robust economy during the past few years due to development and an economic boom in
Panam City, the gains are not being shared by Panam's interior, where 65 percent of the population continues to live
in poverty. In these rural areas, Volunteers work with communities and agency/NGO partners to meet the challenges
of poverty. By helping communities gain access to resources and helping agencies locate communities in need,
Volunteers facilitate a more efficient allocation of resources and help establish links between the communities and
agencies that can last well after the Volunteers have left.
History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Panam

Approximately 750 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Panam from 1963 to 1971. More than 750 Volunteers have
served since 1990; about 160 are currently in service. Volunteers are assigned to one of the five projects: community
environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture systems, community economic development, environmental
health, and tourism and English advising.
Peace Corps/Panam integrates projects so that Volunteers can best meet the needs of their communities. In many
situations, it is both helpful and necessary for Volunteers to be versed in topics that lie outside their sector. The
groundwork for such integration is accomplished during the training period and subsequent in-service training
sessions.
Peace Corps/Panam works to meet the growing needs of rural Panamanians. Recent program additions support
HIV/AIDS education, information technology development, youth development, and gender equity.
History
Panams early history was shaped by the ambitions of European powers. In 1501, Rodrigo de Bastidas of Spain
conducted the first European exploration of Panam. One year later, Christopher Columbus visited Panam and
established a settlement in the Darien province. In 1513, Vasco Nuez de Balboa discovered that the isthmus was
indeed the path between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Panam quickly became the crossroads of Spains
empire in the New World, serving as the transfer point for gold and silver being shipped from South America and
Spain.

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Modern Panamanian history has been shaped by the construction of a trans-isthmus canal, which had been envisioned
since the beginning of Spanish colonization. From 1880 to 1900, a French company under Ferdinand de Lesseps
attempted, unsuccessfully, to construct a sea-level canal on the site of the present Panam Canal. In November 1903,
with U.S. encouragement and French financial support, Panam proclaimed its independence and signed the Hay-
Bunau-Varilla Treaty with the United States.
The treaty granted rights to the United States in a zone roughly 10 miles wide and 50 miles long, wherein the United
States would build a canal; then administer, fortify, and defend it in perpetuity. In 1914, the United States
completed the existing 50-mile (83-kilometer) lock canal, one of the worlds greatest engineering triumphs. The early
1960s marked the beginning of sustained pressure in Panam for renegotiation of this treaty. In 1977 U.S. President
Jimmy Carter signed a new treaty with Panamanian President General Omar Torrijos in which control of the canal
reverted to the Panamanian people on December 31, 1999.
Government
Panam is a representative democracy with three branches of government. The 71 members of the unicameral
Legislative Assembly are elected by direct, secret vote for five-year terms. The executive branch includes a president
and vice president, who also are elected for five-year terms. In May 2009, Panam elected its newest president,
Ricardo Martinelli.. The independent, appointed judiciary consists of a Supreme Court, tribunals, and municipal
courts. An autonomous electoral tribunal supervises voter registration, the election process, and various political party
activities. The dominant political parties have historically been the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) and the
Panameista (Arnulfista) Party.
The indigenous reservations in Panam maintain a degree of political autonomy. Although their governmental
structures vary somewhat, each maintains a tribal hierarchy.
Economy
Panams economy is heavily reliant on the service industries, such as the Panam Canal, banking, transportation,
insurance, warehousing, and the Coln Free Zone (the worlds second-largest free-trade zone after Hong Kong).
These services account for 75 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Manufacturing and construction industries
contribute about 18 percent to GDP, while agriculture contributes only 7 percent. As these figures might suggest,
most of Panams wealth is generated in urban regions, where more than half of its 3 million citizens live.
The Panam Canal, a major focus of business activity, contributes about 5 percent to the nations income. Owned and
operated by the United States since its inauguration in 1914, the canal became the sole property of Panam in
December 1999. With the transfer of the canal, U.S. military bases were closed. A public Panamanian corporation
now operates the canal.
Mining, tourism, petroleum refining, brewing, sugar milling, and maritime services are projected sources of future
growth.
People and Culture

Panam has long served as a crossroads between oceans and continents, and its indigenous populations have
witnessed the arrival of immigrants from all over the world. The population consists of mestizo (mixed European and
indigenous), Spanish, indigenous, Chinese, and West Indian groups. Although the culture, customs, and language of
Panamanians are predominantly Caribbean and Spanish, cultural norms in Panam vary from region to region and
among social classes. Spanish is the official and dominant language, but English is a common second language
among those of West Indian ancestry. Additional languages, spoken by indigenous populations, include Ember,
Kuna, Wounaan, Ngbe, Bugl, and Teribe or Nasos. Most of the country is Roman Catholic; however, Evangelicals,
Jews, Buddhists, and other religious communities exist in and around Panam City.

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As its diversity might suggest, Panam is rich in folklore and popular traditions. In areas where Spanish roots run
deep, women wear the national dress, called a pollera, during local festivals and for traditional folk dances like the
tamborito. Expressions of indigenous culture range from Kuna textiles called molas to the traditional Ngbe dress, the
nagua. The Ember people are also well-known for their crafts, which include intricate tagua nut carvings, and for
their traditional dance, called endi sacar. Along the Caribbean coast, where Afro-Antillean influences dominate, a
mix of cultures is displayed in the Afro-colonial congo dances.
Environment
Panam is located on the narrowest and lowest part of Central America. At 29,300 square miles (77,082 square
kilometers), the S-shaped isthmus is slightly smaller than South Carolina. Panam has two coastlines, along the
Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south, and borders Colombia to the east and Costa Rica to the
west. The country is divided into nine provinces, plus the indigenous reservations of Ember-Wounaan, Kuna-Yala,
Madugandi, Ngbe-Bugl, and Wargandi.
Panam has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. While there is little
seasonal variation, there is a dry season from January through March and a rainy season from April through
December. Thunderstorms are common during the rainy season, but the country is outside the hurricane track. Areas
at higher altitudes are cooler and usually receive more precipitation than the lowlands.
Panams landscape varies from province to province, and each province has its own beauty. The tropical
environment supports a large variety of flora and fauna, including orchids, bromeliads, fabulous quetzals, over 100
varieties of hummingbird, conejos pintados (large nocturnal rodents), and armadillos. Forests cover 40 percent of the
land. The dominant topographical feature is the central spine of highlands called the Cordillera Central that forms the
continental divide. The highest elevation is the Baru volcano, located near the border with Costa Rica, which rises to
almost 11,550 feet (3,500 meters). The coastal areas are largely plains with gently sloping hills. Panam has nearly
500 rivers, most of them not navigable. The Chagres is one of the longest and most vital of the approximately 150
rivers that flow into the Caribbean. In the sparsely populated eastern half of Panam lies the Darien eco-region, a
dense tropical forest that is a cradle of biological diversity.

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RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Following is a list of websites for additional information about the Peace Corps and Panam and to connect you to
returned Volunteers and other invitees. Please keep in mind that although we try to make sure all these links are
active and current, we cannot guarantee it. If you do not have access to the Internet, visit your local library. Libraries
offer free Internet usage and often let you print information to take home.
A note of caution: As you surf the Internet, be aware that you may find bulletin boards and chat rooms in which
people are free to express opinions about the Peace Corps based on their own experience, including comments by
those who were unhappy with their choice to serve in the Peace Corps. These opinions are not those of the Peace
Corps or the U.S. government, and we hope you will keep in mind that no two people experience their service in the
same way.
General Information About Panama
www.countrywatch.com/
On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in the Panam City to how to convert from the dollar to the
balboa. Just click on Panam and go from there.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
Visit this site for general travel advice about almost any country in the world.
www.state.gov
The State Departments website issues background notes periodically about countries around the world. Find
Panam and learn more about its social and political history.
www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm
This site includes links to all the official sites for governments worldwide.
www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm
This online world atlas includes maps and geographical information, and each country page contains links to other
sites, such as the Library of Congress, that contain comprehensive historical, social, and political background.
www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/info.asp
This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical information for member states of the U.N
www.worldinformation.com
This site provides an additional source of current and historical information about countries around the world.
Connect With Returned Volunteers and Other Invitees
www.rpcv.org
This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made up of returned Volunteers. On this site you can find
links to all the Web pages of the friends of groups for most countries of service, made up of former Volunteers who
served in those countries. There are also regional groups who frequently get together for social events and local
volunteer activities. Or go straight to the Peace Corps Panama Friends site: www.panamapcv.net
http://www.rpcvwebring.org
This site is known as the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Web Ring. Browse the Web ring and see what former
Volunteers are saying about their service.

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www.peacecorpswriters.org
This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers. It is a monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer
accounts of their Peace Corps service.
Online Articles/Current News Sites About Panam
www.thepanamanews.com
The Panam News is an online newspaper (in English)
www.latinnews.com
Website for Latin American Newsletters, which provides economic and political information on Latin America (in
English)
http://www.countryreports.org/country.aspx?countryid=189&countryName=Panama
Website providing details on Panam history.
www.panamainfo.com
A guide to tourism, business, and life in Panam
International Development Sites About Panam
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/latin_america_caribbean/
U.S. Agency for International Development
www.undp.org.pa/pnudpanama/
United Nations Development Programme (Spanish)
www.ifad.org
International Fund for Agricultural Development
www.imf.org/external/country/PAN
International Monetary Fund
Recommended Books about Panam

1. Labrut, Michele. Getting to Know Panam. El Dorado, Republic of Panam: Focus Publications, 1997.
2. McCullough, David. The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panam Canal: 1870-1914. NY:
Simon & Schuster, 2004.
3. St. Regis, Louis. Lonely Planet Panam. Footscray, Victoria; London: Lonely Planet Publications, 2004.
4. Woodward, Bob. The Commanders. NY: Simon & Schuster, 2002.
Books About the History of the Peace Corps
1. Hoffman, Elizabeth Cobbs. All You Need is Love: The Peace Corps and the Spirit of the 1960s. Cambridge,
Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2000.
2. Rice, Gerald T. The Bold Experiment: JFKs Peace Corps. Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame
Press, 1985.

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3. Stossel, Scott. Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution
Press, 2004.
Books on the Volunteer Experience

1. Dirlam, Sharon. Beyond Siberia: Two Years in a Forgotten Place. Santa Barbara, Calif.: McSeas Books,
2004.
2. Casebolt, Marjorie DeMoss. Margarita: A Guatemalan Peace Corps Experience. Gig Harbor, Wash.: Red
Apple Publishing, 2000.
3. Erdman, Sarah. Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village. New York, N.Y.:
Picador, 2003.
4. Hessler, Peter. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze. New York, N.Y.: Perennial, 2001.
5. Kennedy, Geraldine ed. From the Center of the Earth: Stories out of the Peace Corps. Santa Monica, Calif.:
Clover Park Press, 1991.
6. Thompsen, Moritz. Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle. Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington Press,
1997 (reprint).

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LIVING CONDITIONS AND
VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE
Communications
Mail
Please see below for a correspondence option for the first 10 weeks in country to share with relatives and friends.
CUERPO DE PAZ
EDIF. 104, 1 PISO AVE. VICENTE BONILLA
CIUDAD DEL SABER, CLAYTON
PANAM, REP. DE PANAM
TELEFONO: (507) 3173300
ATTENTION: YOUR NAME
Once you have been assigned to a site and sworn in as a Volunteer, you will be responsible for sending your new
address to friends and family. We recommend that you establish a regular pattern of communication with friends and
relatives in the United States, since they may become concerned if they do not hear from you for an extended period
of time. Mail service to or from Panam is fairly unpredictableit can take 10 days to more than a month for a letter
or package to arrive.
Telephones
International phone service to and from Panam is good compared to many countries. Virtually all large cities have
reliable phone service, and many small towns have public phones from which residents can make and receive calls for
a fee. International calls can be expensive, so most Volunteers call home collect or use a calling card (such as those
from Sprint, MCI, AT&T and Telechip), which can be used only in some locations. Some Volunteers will have a
phone in their home; others will have to visit a nearby town to make a call. Cellular phones are widely available and
reasonably priced, but many Volunteers live in places outside of a signal range. It may be more expensive to
reprogram a cellular phone bought in the United States than to purchase one in Panam.
The phone number of the Peace Corps/Panam office in Panam City is 011.507.317.3300; the fax number is
011.507.317.3344.
Computer, Internet, and E-mail Access

Internet access in Panam is spreading. All provincial capitals and many other large towns have Internet cafs.
Connection speeds tend to be slow, but the service is reasonably priced and otherwise reliable. Internet access for
Volunteers is available free at the Peace Corps/Panam office. A few Volunteers have computers of their own, but the
majority does not. Computers are probably more useful for community economic development Volunteers than those
in other projects. Laptops are preferable. If your site has no electricity, you will need batteries that are rechargeable
using a solar panel. A voltage regulator is also a necessity. Generally, you will not know if your site will have
electricity until later on, during pre-service training. Should you choose to bring a laptop, it is your responsibility to
maintain and insure it. The Peace Corps is not liable if it gets damaged or stolen.
Housing and Site Location

The small and medium-sized communities (populations of 150 to 10,000) in which Volunteers live and work are
located one to 16 hours from Panam City. Like most Panamanians, Volunteers live in simple concrete-block houses
with cement floors and corrugated tin roofs or wooden huts with dirt floors and palm thatch roofs, depending on the
location of their site. Since living with a family provides special insight into Panamanian culture, improves language
skills, and facilitates integration into the community, you must live with a host family during training and your first
three months at your site. After that, you may choose to live alone.

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Indigenous communities generally have the most rustic living conditions, and they can be remote. Sometimes getting
to a community may require at least a two-hour walk or a ride in a dugout canoe. Most houses in urban and highly
populated areas have running water inside or outside the house. In some cases, it is necessary to boil water and add
chlorine to make it safe to drink. In some rural sites, and in many indigenous communities, water must be obtained
from springs or streams. Many homes have a simple pit latrine, but latrine construction is often one of a Volunteers
first activities. Electricity also varies depending on the site. You must be flexible in your housing and site
expectations and willing to adapt to the discomforts that come with rural living.
Living Allowance and Money Management

During your first three months in Panam, you will receive a weekly allowance to cover the limited costs you will
incur in your training community. By the time you finish training and are sworn in as a Volunteer, Peace
Corps/Panam will open a bank account for you and deposit your monthly living allowance in U.S. dollars (which are
used as the local currency) into this account. This allowance is intended to cover all your living expenses, including
food, rent, work-related travel, some clothing, and other essentials. You will also receive a one-time settling-in
allowance to help buy household necessities such as a bed and kitchen supplies.
Some Volunteers maintain a bank account in the United States, but it is not necessary to do so, as Volunteers are
expected to live at the same economic level as the people in their community. Peace Corps supports the idea of
Volunteers not supplementing their incomes while in-country. Note that while Panam is inexpensive relative to the
United States, it is expensive compared with many of its Central American neighbors. Prices in Panam City are
comparable to those in the United States.
Food and Diet

The Panamanian diet varies according to the region and the ethnic makeup of the population but most often consists
of rice, beans, bananas or plantains, yuca (cassava), and corn. Rice and beans (kidney beans, lentils, black-eyed peas)
is the staple dish. Corn is served in many guises but is usually ground, boiled, or fried. Sancocho is a traditional dish
(somewhere between a soup and a stew) prepared with a variety of vegetables and chicken. An array of fruits is
available in season in most rural areas such as mangoes, papayas, pineapples, avocados, oranges, and guanavanas
(soursops). The availability of garden vegetables such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumbers varies according to
the region and the season. The most common meats are chicken and beef, which are often deep-fried or stewed. These
meats, when served to Volunteers, are often intended to express appreciation for their friendship or work. The rural
poor rarely eat chicken and beef, and indigenous communities in particular customarily have a more limited diet
which may consist primarily of boiled green bananas and root vegetables, such as yucca. Fish is available
sporadically in coastal regions and riverside communities.
Most larger towns and cities have at least one restaurant that will be familiar, such as McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut,
Subway, or Dairy Queen. Most also have supermarkets where you can buy a wide variety of foods and imported
goods.
Some Volunteers are vegetarians, but few Panamanians follow these diets. Volunteers generally must make do with
the food available at their sites, but they sometimes can buy food in Panam City or a provincial capital.
Transportation
Most sites are served by regular public transportation, but Volunteers assigned to indigenous or very rural
communities may also travel by boat, chiva (minibus or truck), horseback, or foot. Chiva transportation is generally
reliable in the dry season but may be more limited in the rainy season. When muddy road conditions limit access by
chiva, some Volunteers have to walk for one or two hours to get to their sites.
For recreational travel, bus service is available from Panam City to almost all domestic destinations and places to the
north through Costa Rica. Tourist destinations in Panam that are not reachable by bus are accessible by plane.
International flights leave from Panam City and David.

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Geography and Climate
Panam has a tropical climate, so you should prepare for rain, heat, and humidity. However, the severity of these
conditions differs according to the region: The higher elevations are cooler, the Caribbean coast in the north receives
more rain and humidity, and the southern peninsula is relatively hot and dry.
Social Activities
The most popular social activities in Latino areas usually are dances (bailes) with traditional tpico music. Larger
towns periodically invite bands to play and gather over two or three days to watch a bullfight (much less bloody than
the Spanish version) or cantadera (a freestyle singing battle) and reconvene at night for a dance. Because of
Panamanians willingness to share their culture, even Volunteers with no talent for dancing are likely to leave
Panam knowing how to dance to tpico. A common way to bring the community together in rural sites is a junta, in
which people complete an activity such as build a bamboo or wooden house or harvest rice. Food and drinksare
provided to the participants, and festivities can last well into the night. In Afro-Antillean areas, dances also are
popular, though the styles of music are much more diverse. Probably the most popular date on every Panamanian
calendar is Carnaval, the equivalent of Mardi Gras. For the four days leading up to Ash Wednesday, Panamanians
gather in certain cities to celebrate under the sun and watch elaborate floats parade through the streets at night.
Formal social activities are less frequent in indigenous communities than in Latino areas. Elaborate dances are rare,
and dancing is usually reserved for important community functions. Spontaneous get-togethers at peoples homes are
probably the most common activity. Often, community meetings are the only occasion for which an entire community
convenes.
The Peace Corps tries to place Volunteers near one another for support, so it is possible to socialize with fellow
Volunteers. Beautiful beaches are plentiful, and outdoor activities are available almost everywhere. When visiting
Panam City, Volunteers have numerous opportunities for diversion, such as movie theaters, coffee bars, restaurants,
public basketball courts, and dance clubs.
Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior

Wearing proper attire in Panam helps establish your professional credibility and reflects your respect for the customs
and lifestyles of the people with whom you live and work. Remember that you will be judged by your appearance.
Neatness and cleanliness are very important in Panamanian culture, and Panamanians may be offended by an untidy
appearance. Dress is less formal in rural areas than in the capital, but it is important to remember that you are a
representative of the United States. It is especially important to dress appropriately on the job and when you meet
with government or other officials. Leisure clothing can be worn in the privacy of your own home, but should not be
worn for work or travel. When doing physical labor, you will need sturdy shoes and clothes that protect you from
scratches and insect bites. For more specific clothing recommendations, refer to the packing list later in this book.
During all training activities and Volunteer service in Panam, you will be expected to observe Peace Corps/Panams
guidelines for dress. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times, and shorts may not be worn in professional settings,
including the Peace Corps office. While dressy sandals for women are appropriate, men should not wear sandals during
professional/ formal occasions, in accordance with local custom.
You will not need to change your entire wardrobe, but you should realize that U.S. citizens almost always stand out.
Because of Panamanians views of tattoos and body piercing, you will need to keep any tattoos and piercings out of
sight (earrings for women are okay). Men with long hair may be met with suspicion, so it is advisable for male
Volunteers to keep their hair relatively short. As a result of the previous U.S. military presence in Panam,
camouflage and military-style pants, jackets, backpacks, and so forth should be left at home. All Volunteers will
need work-specific clothing as well as casual clothing. Casual clothing will be the same for all Volunteers, but work
clothing may vary by project sector.

13
The following are some specific work clothing recommendations for people in each project:
Those in community economic development should dress in business-casual clothing while working with businesses
and government agencies. Men should wear pants with short-sleeved polo-style or button-down shirts. Women may
wear pants, dresses, or skirts (slightly below the knee is fine) with nice shirts or blouses. Sneakers and flip-flops are
not appropriate for men or women during business meetings, but are appropriate for casual occasions.
Those in community environmental conservation will sometimes work in the field, so a pair of good shoes, some
work shirts, and long pants are necessary. When working in schools, Volunteers should wear business-casual
clothing. Flip-flops are inappropriate and very short skirts and dresses are not recommended, as they will attract
unwanted attention.
Those in sustainable agriculture and environmental health are likely to work in areas with a lot of mud and high
humidity. These Volunteers will frequently work in the field, so work clothes are a necessity. Some Volunteers wear
hiking shoes; others wear un-insulated, knee-high rubber boots. Although Volunteers should wear business-casual
clothing when attending meetings with agency partners or conducting seminars, people in very rural or indigenous
communities tend to dress less formally than elsewhere in the country.
Personal Safety
More detailed information about the Peace Corps approach to safety is contained in the Health Care and Safety
chapter, but it is an important issue and cannot be overemphasized. As stated in the Volunteer Handbook, becoming a
Peace Corps Volunteer entails certain safety risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment (oftentimes
alone), having a limited understanding of local language and culture, and being perceived as well-off are some of the
factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Many Volunteers experience varying degrees of unwanted attention and
harassment. Petty thefts and burglaries are not uncommon, and incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur,
although most Panama Volunteers complete their two years of service without incident. The Peace Corps has
established procedures and policies designed to help you reduce your risks and enhance your safety and security.
These procedures and policies, in addition to safety training, will be provided once you arrive in Panama. Using
these tools, you are expected to take responsibility for your safety and well-being.
Each staff member at the Peace Corps is committed to providing Volunteers with the support they need to
successfully meet the challenges they will face to have a safe, healthy, and productive service. We encourage
Volunteers and families to look at our safety and security information on the Peace Corps website at
www.peacecorps.gov/safety.
Information on these pages gives messages on Volunteer health and Volunteer safety. A video message from the
Director is on this page, as well as a section titled Safety and Security in Depth. This page lists topics ranging from
the risks of serving as a Volunteer to posts safety support systems to emergency planning and communications.
Rewards and Frustrations

You must be sure that you are willing to commit yourself to two years of service in a foreign country, living in
harmony with the local culture. You must also learn to be patient, as change comes very slowly. Many Volunteers
have difficulty adjusting to the slow pace of life and work in Panam. You may have to repeatedly explain your role
as a development worker to many people. You may encounter a lack of understanding or technical support from your
community or agency partners. You may also be annoyed by frequent delays in almost every aspect of your work, by
the lack of privacy, and by being perceived as a rich foreigner. You will be thoroughly briefed on these matters
during training.

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The romance and excitement of working in a developing country can wear off quickly. The obstacles to
accomplishing ones goals can be formidable. The key to satisfying work as a Volunteer is the ability to establish
successful interpersonal relations at all levels. This requires patience, sensitivity, and a positive, professional attitude.
Remember that while you are full of energy and motivation, you will be here for only two years. Your Panamanian
colleagues will continue to work at the same jobs, probably for low pay, after you leave, so they may not have the
same level of motivation as you do. Immediate results will be hard to quantify. Much of the impact of the work you
do will not become evident until after you leave Panam. Nevertheless, you will surely be rewarded with a great sense
of accomplishment when activities are successful, whether small or large. The successes are well worth the
difficulties. Volunteers presence in Panam is making a difference and has certainly contributed to improving the
conditions in rural areas.
PEACE CORPS TRAINING
Pre-Service Training
Pre-service training is the first event within a competency-based training program that continues throughout your 27
months of service in Panama Pre-service training ensures that Volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills,
and attitudes to effectively perform their jobs. On average, nine of 10 trainees are sworn in as Volunteers.
Pre-service training is conducted in Panama and directed by the Peace Corps with participation from representatives
of Panama organizations, former Volunteers, and/or training contractors. The length of pre-service training varies,
usually ranging from 8-12 weeks, depending on the competencies required for the assignment. Panama measures
achievement of learning and determines if trainees have successfully achieved competencies, including language
standards, for swearing in as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Throughout service, Volunteers strive to achieve performance competencies. Initially, pre-service training affords the
opportunity for trainees to develop and test their own resources. As a trainee, you will play an active role in self-
education. You will be asked to decide how best to set and meet objectives and to find alternative solutions. You will
be asked to prepare for an experience in which you will often have to take the initiative and accept responsibility for
decisions. The success of your learning will be enhanced by your own effort to take responsibility for your learning
and through sharing experiences with others.
Peace Corps training is founded on adult learning methods and often includes experiential hands-on applications
such as conducting a participatory community needs assessment and facilitating groups. Successful training results in
competence in various technical, linguistic, cross-cultural, health, and safety and security areas. Integrating into the
community is usually one of the core competencies Volunteers strive to achieve both in pre-service training and
during the first several months of service. Successful sustainable development work is based on the local trust and
confidence Volunteers build by living in, and respectfully integrating into, the Panama community and culture.
Trainees are prepared for this through a home-stay experience, which often requires trainees to live with host
families during pre-service training. Integration into the community not only facilitates good working relationships,
but it fosters language learning and cross-cultural acceptance and trust, which help ensure your health, safety, and
security.
Woven into the competencies, the ability to communicate in the host country language is critical to being an effective
Peace Corps Volunteer. So basic is this precept that it is spelled out in the Peace Corps Act: No person shall be
assigned to duty as a Volunteer under this act in any foreign country or area unless at the time of such assignment he
(or she) possesses such reasonable proficiency as his (or her) assignment requires in speaking the language of the
country or area to which he (or she) is assigned.

15
Qualifying for Service
The pre-service training experience provides an opportunity not only for the Peace Corps to assess a trainees
competence, but for trainees to re-evaluate their commitment to serve for 27 months to improve the quality of life of
the people with whom Volunteers live and work and, in doing so, develop new knowledge, skills, and attitudes while
adapting existing ones.
Peace Corps Panamas competencies are designed to be accomplished throughout the Volunteers 27 months of
learning. A trainee may not be able to complete all learning objectives for a competency during pre-service training;
however, he or she must show adequate progress toward achieving the competencies in order to become a Volunteer 1 .
Panamas competencies include the following:
Essential Competencies
1. Integrate into the Peace Corps Organization
2. Integrate into the community
3. Maintain well-being
4. Facilitate participatory community development
Sector Specific Competencies
1. Community Economic Development
2. Improve internal organizational efficiency and effectiveness
3. Design and manage community projects and business plans
4. Empower youth with life skills, entrepreneurial competence and technological proficiency
Environmental Health
1. Promote health and hygiene practices
2. Manage water systems
3. Manage sanitation systems
Evaluation of your performance throughout service is a continual process, as Volunteers are responsible 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week for personal conduct and professional performance. Successful completion of pre-service training
is characterized by achievement of a set of learning objectives to determine competence. Failure to meet any of the
selection standards by the completion of training may be grounds for a withdrawal of selection and disqualification
from Peace Corps service.
1
Peace Corps manual section 201.305.4.

16
Progress in ones own learning is a dialogue between you and the training staff. All of the training staffincluding
the training manager, and the language, technical, medical, safety and security, and cross-cultural trainerswill work
with you toward the highest possible competencies by providing you with feedback on learning objective
performance throughout training. After reviewing and observing your performance, the country director is responsible
for making the final decision on whether you have qualified to serve as a Volunteer in the host country.
Upon successful completion of training, trainees who qualify for Peace Corps service are required by law to swear or
affirm an oath of loyalty to the United States; it cannot be waived under any circumstances. The text of the oath is
provided below. If you have any questions about the wording or meaning of the oath, consult a staff member during
training.
I, (your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of
America against all enemies, domestic or foreign, that I take this obligation freely, and without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace Corps (so help
me God).
Ongoing Learning
You are expected to improve your knowledge and skills in the areas of technical, language, cross-cultural, diversity,
health, and safety throughout your service as a Volunteer. Training staff provide learning objectives during the 27-
month continuum to help guide Volunteers throughout service. The manner in which you do this may be formal,
through tutoring or workshops organized by the host government or in-country staff, or informally, through
conversations and reading. Your learning will continue after you become a Volunteer, formally and through in-
service training opportunities, specialized language or technical workshops, and a close-of-service workshop to help
you evaluate your service and prepare for your return to the United States.
Formal opportunities for ongoing learning in Panama include the following:
1. First Trimester Regional Meeting one day between January 26 thru 29
2. Reconnect In-Service Training February 22-26
3. Project Management and Leadership March 22-25
4. Annual Volunteer Conference tentatively April 7-9
5. 2nd Trimester Regional Meeting one day between June 7-11
6. 3rd Trimester Regional Meeting one day between September 27-30
The number, length, and design of these trainings are adapted to country-specific needs and conditions. The key to the
Peace Corps training system is that learning events are competency-based, designed, implemented, and evaluated
cooperatively by the Peace Corps staff and Volunteers.

17
YOUR HEALTH CARE AND
SAFETY IN PANAMA
The Peace Corps highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical
programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps in Panam
maintains a health office with a full-time nurse, a full-time physician, and a medical office secretary, who takes care
of Volunteers primary healthcare needs.Additional medical services, such as testing and basic treatment, are also
available in Panam at local, American-standard hospitals. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported to an
appropriate medical facility in the city. Panama is the Regional Medevac Post for this Region. If your case could not
be resolved in country, you could be transported to the United States.
Health Issues in Panam

Simple medical conditions such as a cut or a skin infection can be complicated by the humidity and heat in Panam
due to its Tropical weather. Gastrointestinal illnesses are common, and malaria exists in the country. Also present in
Panam are tuberculosis, typhoid fever, dengue fever, intestinal parasites, hepatitis A and B, STDs, and HIV/AIDS.
However frightening these diseases may sound, they can be avoided by using common sense and following basic
preventive practices.
Helping You Stay Healthy

The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary inoculations, medications, and information to stay healthy.
Upon your arrival in Panam, you will receive a medical handbook and a medical kit with supplies to take care of
mild illnesses and first aid needs. The contents of the kit are listed later in this chapter.
During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical supplies through the medical officer. However,
you will be responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any other specific medical supplies you
require, as the Peace Corps will not order these items during training. Please bring a three-month supply of any
prescription drugs you use, since they may not be available here and it may take several months for shipments to
arrive.
You will have physicals at midservice and at the end of your service. If you develop a serious medical problem during
your service, the medical officer in Panam will consult with the Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If it
is determined that your condition cannot be treated in Panam, you may be sent out of the country for further
evaluation and care.
Maintaining Your Health

As a Volunteer, you must accept considerable responsibility for your own health. Proper precautions will significantly
reduce your risk of serious illness or injury. The adage An ounce of prevention becomes extremely important in
areas where diagnostic and treatment facilities are not up to the standards of the United States. The most important of
your responsibilities in Panam is to follow the Peace Corps instructions concerning preventive measures for
malaria, bacterial and viral gastrointestinal illnesses, STIs, skin diseases, animal and insect bites, heatstroke, and
hantavirus.
Many illnesses that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely preventable if proper food and water precautions are
taken. These illnesses include food poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A, dysentery, Guinea worms, tapeworms,
and typhoid fever. Your medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food preparation in Panama
during pre-service training.

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Abstinence is the only certain choice for preventing infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. You
are taking risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom every time you have sex. Whether
your partner is a host country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this person is free of
HIV/AIDS or other STIs. You will receive more information from the medical officer about this important issue.
Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Your
medical officer can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your individual needs. Contraceptive
methods are available without charge from the medical officer.
It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical office or other designated facility for scheduled
immunizations, and that you let the medical officer know immediately of significant illnesses and injuries.
Womens Health Information

Pregnancy is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health conditions that require medical attention but also
have programmatic ramifications. The Peace Corps is responsible for determining the medical risk and the
availability of appropriate medical care if the Volunteer remains in-country once the diagnosis has been made.. Given
the circumstances under which Volunteers live and work in Peace Corps countries, it is rare that the Peace Corps
medical and programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy beyond the first trimester can be met.
Not all feminine hygiene products are available in the regions where Volunteers live, so you may have to use an
alternative products. If you require a specific feminine hygiene product, please bring a supply with you. Peace
Corps/Panam does not provide feminine hygiene products.
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit

The Peace Corps medical officer will provide you with a kit that contains basic items necessary to prevent and treat
illnesses that may occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked at the medical office.
Medical Kit Contents

Ace bandage
Adhesive tape
American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
Antacid tablets (Tums)
Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B)
Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner (Hibiclens)
Band-Aids
Butterfly closures
Calamine lotion
Cepacol lozenges
Condoms
Dental floss

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Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)
Insect repellent stick (Cutters)
Iodine tablets (for water purification)
Lip balm (Chapstick)
Oral rehydration salts
Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)
Robitussin-DM lozenges (for cough)
Scissors
Sterile gauze pads
Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine)
Tinactin (antifungal cream)
Tweezers
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist

If there has been any change in your healthphysical, mental, or dentalsince you submitted your examination
reports to the Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical Services. Failure to disclose new
illnesses, injuries, allergies, or pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your eligibility to serve.
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your physical exam is more than two years old, contact the
Office of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental
consultant has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you must complete that work and make sure
your dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of Medical Services.
If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, contact your physicians office to obtain a copy of your
immunization record and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any immunizations prior to Peace
Corps service, the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide all the
immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, either at your pre-departure orientation or shortly after you
arrive in Panam. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication prior to departure.
Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-the-counter medication you use on a regular basis, including
birth control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for this three-month supply, it will order refills
during your service. While awaiting shipmentwhich can take several monthsyou will be dependent on your own
medication supply. Commercial name of your birth control might be different here in Panam.The Peace Corps will
not pay for herbal or nonprescribed medications, such as St. Johns wort, glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant
supplements.
You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions signed by your physician. This is not a requirement, but
they might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about carrying a three-month supply of prescription drugs.

20
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with youa pair and a spare. If a pair breaks, gets stolen or is irreparabily
damaged, Peace Corps/Panam will replace it. Post will cover up to $90.00 of the cost. The Peace Corps discourages
you from using contact lenses during your service to reduce your risk of developing a serious infection or other eye
disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate water and sanitation to support eye care with the use of
contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses or associated solutions unless an
ophthalmologist has recommended their use for a specific medical condition and the Peace Corps Office of Medical
Services has given approval.
If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have a health condition that may restrict your future
participation in health care plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist about unique coverage needs before
your departure. The Peace Corps will provide all necessary health care from the time you leave for your pre-departure
orientation until you complete your service. When you finish, you will be entitled to the post-service health care
benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. You may wish to consider keeping an existing health
plan in effect during your service if you think age or preexisting conditions might prevent you from reenrolling in
your current plan when you return home.
Safety and SecurityOur Partnership

Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar
environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy
American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property theft and burglaries are not uncommon.
Incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although almost all Volunteers complete their two years of service
without serious personal safety problems.
Beyond knowing that Peace Corps approaches safety and security as a partnership with you, it might be helpful to see
how this partnership works. The Peace Corps has policies, procedures, and training in place to promote your safety.
We depend on you to follow those policies and to put into practice what you have learned. An example of how this
works in practicein this case to help manage the risk of burglaryis:
Peace Corps assesses the security environment where you will live and work
Peace Corps inspects the house where you will live according to established security criteria
Peace Corp provides you with resources to take measures such as installing new locks
Peace Corps ensures you are welcomed by host country authorities in your new community
Peace Corps responds to security concerns that you raise
You lock your doors and windows
You adopt a lifestyle appropriate to the community where you live
You get to know neighbors
You decide if purchasing personal articles insurance is appropriate for you
You dont change residences before being authorized by Peace Corps
You communicate concerns that you have to Peace Corps staff.
This Welcome Book contains sections on: Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training; and
Your Health Care and Safety that all include important safety and security information to help you understand this
partnership. The Peace Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to function in the safest way
possible, because working to maximize the safety and security of Volunteers is our highest priority. Not only do we
provide you with training and tools to prepare for the unexpected, but we teach you to identify, reduce, and manage
the risks you may encounter.

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Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteers risk, many of which are within the Volunteers control. By
far the most common crime that Volunteers experience is theft. Thefts often occur when Volunteers are away from
their sites, in crowded locations (such as markets or on public transportation), and when leaving items unattended.
Before you depart for Panamathere are several measures you can take to reduce your risk:
Leave valuable objects in the US

Leave copies of important documents and account numbers in the U.S. with someone you trust.
Purchase a hidden money pouch or "dummy" wallet as a decoy
Purchase personal articles insurance
After you arrive in Panama, you will receive more detailed information about common crimes, factors that contribute
to Volunteer risk, and local strategies to reduce that risk. For example, Volunteers in Panama learn to:
Choose safe routes and times for travel, and travel with someone trusted by the community whenever possible
Make sure ones personal appearance is respectful of local customs
Avoid high-crime areas
Know the local language to get help in an emergency
Make friends with local people who are respected in the community
Limit alcohol consumption
As you can see from this list, you have to be willing to work hard and adapt your lifestyle to minimize the potential
for being a target for crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist in Panama.You can reduce your risk by
avoiding situations that place you at risk and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or town level is less frequent
than in large cities; people know each other and generally are less likely to steal from their neighbors. Tourist
attractions in large towns are favorite worksites for pickpockets.
Volunteers tend to attract a lot of attention both in large cities and at their sites, but they are more likely to receive
negative attention in highly populated centers, and away from their support network friends and colleagueswho
look out for them. While whistles and exclamations may be fairly common on the street, this behavior can be reduced
if you dress conservatively, abide by local cultural norms, and respond according to the training you will receive.
Staying Safe: Dont Be a Target for Crime

You must be prepared to take on a large degree of responsibility for your own safety. You can make yourself less of a
target, ensure that your home is secure, and develop relationships in your community that will make you an unlikely
victim of crime. While the factors that contribute to your risk in Panama may be different, in many ways you can
better assure your safety by doing what you would do if you moved to a new city anywhere: Be cautious, check
things out, ask questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more risky locations are, use common
sense, and be aware. You can reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your community, learning the
local language, acting responsibly, and abiding by Peace Corps policies and procedures. Serving safely and
effectively in Panama will require that you accept some restrictions on your current lifestyle.

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Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
Before and during service, your training will address these areas of concern so you can reduce the risks you face. For
example, here are some strategies Volunteers employ:
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of theft:

Know the environment and choose safe routes/times for travel
Avoid high-crime areas per Peace Corps guidance
Know the vocabulary to get help in an emergency
Carry valuables in different pockets/places
Carry a "dummy" wallet as a decoy
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of burglary:

Live with a local family or on a family compound
Put strong locks on doors and keep valuables in a lock box or trunk
Leave irreplaceable objects at home in the U.S.
Purchase the Peace Corps recommended personal property insurance
Follow Peace Corps guidelines on maintaining home security
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of assault:

Make friends with local people who are respected in the community
Make sure your appearance is respectful of local customs; dont draw negative attention to yourself by wearing
inappropriate clothing
Get to know local officials, police, and neighbors
Travel with someone trusted by your community whenever possible
Avoid known high crime areas
Limit alcohol consumption
Support from Staff

If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace
Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime committed against Volunteers. The first priority
for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure the Volunteer is safe and receiving medical treatment as
needed. After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff members provide support by reassessing the
Volunteers worksite and housing arrangements and making any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of
the incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving
their rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the crime. It is very important that Volunteers report
incidents as they occur, not only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also to preserve the future right to prosecute.

23
Should Volunteers decide later in the process that they want to proceed with the prosecution of their assailant, this
option may no longer exist if the evidence of the event has not been preserved at the time of the incident.
Crime Data for Panam
The country-specific data chart below shows the average annual rates of the major types of crimes reported by Peace
Corps Volunteers/trainees in Panama compared to all other Inter-America and Pacific programs as a whole. It can be
understood as an approximation of the number of reported incidents per 100 Volunteers in a year.
The incidence rate for each type of crime is the number of crime events relative to the Volunteer/trainee population. It
is expressed on the chart as a ratio of crime to Volunteer and trainee years (or V/T years, which is a measure of 12
full months of V/T service) to allow for a statistically valid way to compare crime data across countries.
1 2
Incidence Rates and Average Number of Reported
Incidents in PC/Panama and IAP Region, 2003-2007
Events by Number and Rate
14.0
(7) (235)
12.0
9.7
10.0
8.0 PANAMA
(2) (94)
5.4 IAP
6.0
(1) (59) 3.9
4.0 (<1) (29) (<1) (23)
(0) (9) (<1) (14) 2.4
1.7 (0) (3)
2.0 1.2 0.8 1.6 0.9
0.6 0.3 0.1 0.6
0.0 0.0 0.1
0.0
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Few Peace Corps Volunteers are victims of serious crimes and crimes that do occur overseas are investigated and
prosecuted by local authorities through the local courts system. If you are the victim of a crime, you will decide if you
wish to pursue prosecution. If you decide to prosecute, Peace Corps will be there to assist you. One of our tasks is to
ensure you are fully informed of your options and understand how the local legal process works. Peace Corps will
help you ensure your rights are protected to the fullest extent possible under the laws of the country.
If you are the victim of a serious crime, you will learn how to get to a safe location as quickly as possible and contact
your Peace Corps office. Its important that you notify Peace Corps as soon as you can so Peace Corps can provide
you with the help you need.

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Preparing for the Unexpected: Safety Training
and Volunteer Support in Panam
The Peace Corps approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help you stay safe during your two-year service and
includes the following: information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a detailed emergency action
plan, and protocols for addressing safety and security incidents. Panams in-country safety program is outlined
below.
The Peace Corps/Panam office will keep you informed of any issues that may impact Volunteer safety through
information sharing. Regular updates will be provided in Volunteer newsletters and in memorandums from the
country director. In the event of a critical situation or emergency, you will be contacted through the emergency
communication network. An important component of the capacity of Peace Corps to keep you informed is your buy-
in to the partnership concept with the Peace Corps staff. It is expected that you will do your part in ensuring that
Peace Corps staff members are kept apprised of your movements in-country so that they are capable of informing
you.
Volunteer training will include sessions on specific safety and security issues in Panam. This training will prepare
you to adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that promotes safety and reduces risk in your
home, at work, and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout service and is integrated into the language,
cross-cultural aspects, health, and other components of training. You will be expected to successfully complete all
training competencies in a variety of areas, including safety and security, as a condition of service.
Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing for Volunteers before their arrival. The Peace Corps
staff works closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help prepare them for a Volunteers arrival and
to establish expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer. Each site is inspected before the
Volunteers arrival to ensure placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and worksites. Site selection is based,
in part, on any relevant site history; access to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services; availability of
communications, transportation, and markets; different housing options and living arrangements; and other Volunteer
support needs.
You will also learn about Peace Corps/Panams detailed emergency action plan, which is implemented in the event
of civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at your site, you will complete and submit a site
locator form with your address, contact information, and a map to your house. If there is a security threat, you will
gather with other Volunteers in Panam at predetermined locations until the situation is resolved or the Peace Corps
decides to evacuate. When away from their sites, Volunteers are required to let community partners know and to e-
mail or call Peace Corps/Panams out-of-community voice mail box, providing dates, places, and telephone numbers
where they can be reached during the absence. This procedure ensures that Volunteers can be contacted in the case of
an emergency. Failure to comply with this procedure can result in administrative separation from the Peace Corps.
Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that Volunteers
immediately report any security incident to the Peace Corps office. The Peace Corps has established protocols for
addressing safety and security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and it collects and evaluates safety and
security data to track trends and develop strategies to minimize risks to future Volunteers.

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DIVERSITY AND
CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES
In fulfilling its mandate to share the face of America with host countries, the Peace Corps is making special efforts to
see that all of Americas richness is reflected in the Volunteer corps. More Americans of color are serving in todays
Peace Corps than at any time in recent years. Differences in race, ethnic background, age, religion, and sexual
orientation are expected and welcomed among our Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps mission is to help dispel any
notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and to establish that each of us is as thoroughly American as the
other despite our many differences.
Our diversity helps us accomplish that goal. In other ways, however, it poses challenges. In Panam, as in other Peace
Corps host countries, Volunteers behavior, lifestyle, background, and beliefs are judged in a cultural context very
different from their own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics commonly accepted in the United States
may be quite uncommon, unacceptable, or even repressed in Panam.
Outside of Panams capital, residents of rural communities have had relatively little direct exposure to other cultures,
races, religions, and lifestyles. What people view as typical American behavior or norms may be a misconception,
such as the belief that all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue eyes. The people of Panam are justly
known for their generous hospitality to foreigners; however, members of the community in which you will live may
display a range of reactions to cultural differences that you present.
To ease the transition and adapt to life in Panam, you may need to make some temporary, yet fundamental
compromises in how you present yourself as an American and as an individual. For example, female trainees and
Volunteers may not be able to exercise the independence available to them in the United States; political discussions
need to be handled with great care; and some of your personal beliefs may best remain undisclosed. You will need to
develop techniques and personal strategies for coping with these and other limitations. The Peace Corps staff will
lead diversity and sensitivity discussions during pre-service training and will be on call to provide support, but the
challenge ultimately will be your own.
Overview of Diversity in Panam

The Peace Corps staff in Panam recognizes the adjustment issues that come with diversity and will endeavor to
provide support and guidance. During pre-service training, several sessions will be held to discuss diversity and
coping mechanisms. We look forward to having male and female Volunteers from a variety of races, ethnic groups,
ages, religions, and sexual orientations, and hope that you will become part of a diverse group of Americans who take
pride in supporting one another and demonstrating the richness of American culture.
What Might a Volunteer Face?
Possible Issues for Female Volunteers

Female Volunteers may find it difficult to adapt to Panamas male-dominated society. They may be verbally harassed
or even experience physical harassment. They may not be taken seriously intellectually or in their work. They may
not be able to socialize with males without giving the impression that they are flirting, and they may be judged
differently than men for behaviors such as smoking, drinking, walking alone, or going out at night. In addition,
because they are from the United States, they may be assumed to be sexually promiscuous. Panamanians may
consider it strange that female Volunteers do not spend their days cooking, cleaning, and washing.

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Volunteer comments:
My social and professional endeavors as a Volunteer are deeply affected by my sex, which can be both beneficial
and frustrating. It is easier for me than my male peers to get the attention and help of local government officials.
However, these same officials may not think I am capable of doing hard labor to complete a project and may try to
leave me out of the loop while inviting one of my male counterparts to join in. I can gain the confidence and
friendship of Panamanian women in my town fairly quickly, but I am likely to lose it just as fast if my outgoing
manner appears too flirtatious with men. Therefore, for my own well-being and in an effort to keep from rocking the
boat, I have struggled to find a balance between being an independent American woman and being a more laid-back,
traditional Panamanian woman.
I do take it upon myself to open some Panamanians eyes and minds to the possibilities women have in life.
However, to stay within the realm of acceptable behavior here, I have held on to the most fundamental characteristics
that define me as a woman while letting go of less essential acquired traits. No, I do not walk alone at night, nor do I
kill snakes, nor do I invite men to my home unaccompanied. Yes, I do live alone, I know how to drive, I occasionally
drink beer, I do manual labor, and I walk as fast as the men. I am still the same woman. I am the adjusted American-
Panamanian version of me. And the challenge of achieving this balance has encouraged me and members of my
community to grow, learn, teach, and share as never before.
Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color

African-American Volunteers may be judged as less professionally competent than Caucasian Volunteers. Despite
their complexion, they may not be considered black because they come from what is considered a primarily white
culture. They may be called negro or chombo, not necessarily as derogatory terms, but as the local words used to
describe black people. They must be prepared to work and live with individuals who have no experience of African-
American culture. And they may not receive, or be able to receive, necessary personal support from other Volunteers.
Hispanic American Volunteers may not be perceived as being North American and may be expected to speak Spanish
fluently. They may be labeled el cubano, el mexicano, etc. because of stereotyped perceptions of other Latino
cultures. They may be expected to interact in Panamanian society with more ease than other Volunteers. They may
not find other Volunteers in Panam with the same ethnic background.
Asian-American Volunteers may be expected to exhibit behavior Panamanians have observed in martial-arts films.
Like Hispanic Americans, they may not be considered North Americans. In addition, Panams historical
involvement with certain Asian countries or the presence of Asian merchants in the community may have an impact
on how Asian-American Volunteers are perceived.
Volunteer comments:
Here in Panam, I blend in because of my Latino roots. My mother is Dominican, so I am fairly dark. As a result, I
find myself arguing with people a lot when they tell me Im not really 100 percent American (Not like her and then
theyll point to a blond Volunteer). When I went on a visit to my site, everyone was asking, in front of me, Wheres
the American? They wouldnt believe me when I said I was the American. But there are perks. I dont get ripped off
as much on taxi rides or in buying things on the street. I also dont deal with men hissing and leering at me as much.
I am Filipina-American, and I can pass for a Panamanian here. The advantages are that I dont get stared at when
Im walking around, and people dont readily assume that I dont speak Spanish. Most people assume that I am
Panamanian with some Chinese blood mixed in. Then they hear me speak Spanish and guess that I am from
Nicaragua, Peru, Belize, or Tonga. They guess about every other country except the United States. They are shocked
to meet a non-Caucasian American. One observation I have made is that Panamanians love white people or, to be
more exact, blond hair and fair skin. These characteristics are very exotic to them because most people here dont
look like that. People with such characteristics are stared at and bothered more than me.

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When I am walking by myself, I dont hear as many piropos (catcalls) than when I am with my white female friends.
Despite all this, I really like Panam and its people. Especially at Volunteer sites, I have met the nicest and humblest
people. I try to get beyond superficiality in meeting Panamanians with the hope that their stereotype of Americans
will be somewhat tweaked.
Most Panamanians think there is only one country in Asia: China. Some have met development volunteers from
Japan, but only a few. Therefore, I have adopted the nickname Chinita, which means little Chinese girl. I use it with
my friends, but loathe it when a Panamanian refers to me as la chinita. Why? Because I was born in Korea and have
spent most of my life in the United States. Even after I say I am from the States, Panamanians ask if I speak Chinese.
You get used to it, however, and fighting it only makes you frustrated. People in my community still call me Chinita.
Sometimes, the kids will correct others and tell them I am Korean.
Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers

While in Panam, senior Volunteers may not receive as much personal support from younger Volunteers. They may
find that younger Volunteers look to them for advice and support. Some seniors find this a very enjoyable part of their
Volunteer experience, while others choose not to fill this role.
Volunteer comment:
The only disadvantage to being a senior Volunteer that I can think of is not being able to appreciate tpico music or
party at a baile until 2 a.m.! Its being an older, married Volunteer that makes my experience very different. The
largest drawback to my marital status has been in learning the language. Both my husband and I came with no
Spanish, and we have made slower progress in learning Spanish than single Volunteers, who have no occasion to
speak English in their sites. On the other hand, being married has huge advantages (i.e., close companionship in a
new and often stressful environment and instant support and encouragement in joint and separate projects). Though it
can be a positive opportunity and difficult at the same time, Ive felt marriage to be an asset in Panam. It seems to
make you more approachable, it opens doors, and theres faster acceptance. With the acceptance comes easier access
to work opportunities. My husband and I wouldnt have traded the past two years for anything. Im just waiting for all
those senior baby boomers to discover how much fun weve been having in the Peace Corps and change the average
age of Volunteers to 50! We just might sign up again when we are over 70 and married. Buena suerte!
Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers

Gay, lesbian, and bisexual Volunteers who have been out in the United States may feel pressure to be less open in
Panam because some people view their sexual orientation as deviant or taboo. They may be hassled in the streets or
in bars, and their civil liberties may be ignored. They may serve in Panam for two years without ever meeting
another gay or lesbian Volunteer. Lesbians have to deal with constant questions about boyfriends, marriage, and sex
(as do all women). Gay men have to deal with machismo: talk of conquest(s), heavy drinking, girl watching, and dirty
jokes.
Volunteer comment:
Coming from the more liberal United States to a Latin American country as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
Volunteer can be a daunting experience. In Panamanian society, there is sort of a dont ask, dont tell system. There
is a significant gay and lesbian population, but any non-heterosexual behavior is still widely seen as deviant. It is a
very machista society, and one of the biggest insults you can make to another man is to call him gay. The concept of
gay is not well-defined (for better or worse), meaning that many men have gay sex but dont consider themselves to
be gay. Lesbians tend to hide their sexuality more than gay men do, though there seems to be less of a stigma attached
to lesbians. One of the most difficult questions is how you will deal with your sexuality in Panam. Will you be
yourself to your community or feel the need to go back in the closet? What does that mean for your well-being?

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There are some positive aspects, though, in that most gay Volunteers feel supported by some of the Peace
Corps/Panam staff and by a majority of Volunteers.
Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers

Volunteers of religions other than Christianity may be challenged or face generalizations about people of their
religion. They may not be thought of as real Americans. Jews may occasionally be considered anti-Christian. Thus,
some Volunteers may not feel comfortable disclosing their religion to the people in their community. Volunteers may
not be able to find a suitable place of worship near their site or may find it difficult to fulfill their religions dietary
requirements.
Volunteer comments:
Judaism is little known in the Panamanian campo. Few people I have talked to know what a Jew is or have met one,
often confusing Jews with Arabs and vice versa. There is no prejudice that I have felt, only real interest in
understanding what my religion is. Some people ask a lot of questions. Here, when one speaks of another religion,
one usually means another sect of Christianity, so the idea of something outside of that is quite foreign to local people
and takes some explanation. It also leads to some confusion as to why I dont celebrate Christmas. In Panam City, on
the other hand, people have more experience with Jews. While the four synagogues all have tight security (as most do
in Latin America), I have never felt any anti-Semitism from people in Panam City.
In Panam, an Asian-looking person is called chino or china. I have come to learn that its just a custom here to refer
to people by their characteristics. Surprisingly, it has been more stressful being a non-Christian than being called
chinita. My community is half Roman Catholic and half Evangelical. In a place where everyone is Christian,
sometimes it can feel very lonely being Buddhist. Each person has their own way of dealing with these kinds of
situationsmine has been to keep a low profile and an open mind.
Possible Issues for Volunteers With Disabilities

Volunteers with disabilities may encounter people in their community who think that they always require special help
and cannot function on their own. They may find that some Panamanians consider them incapable of work that
requires physical exertion or less competent in professional situations. They may be faced with frank or inconsiderate
remarks concerning their disability.
The Peace Corps Office of Medical Services, as part of the medical clearance process, determined that you were
physically and emotionally capable, with or without reasonable accommodations, of performing a full tour of
Volunteer service in Panam without unreasonable risk to yourself or interruption of your service. The Peace
Corps/Panam staff will work with disabled Volunteers to make reasonable accommodations in training, housing, job
sites, and other areas to enable them to serve safely and effectively.
Possible Issues for Married Volunteers

Being a married couple in the Peace Corps has its advantages and its challenges. It helps to have someone by your
side to share your experience with, but there are also cultural expectations that can cause stress in a marriage. It is
important to remember that you are in a foreign country with new rules and you need to be open-minded about
cultural differences. For example, a married man may be encouraged by Panamanians to be the more dominant
member in the relationship, be encouraged to make decisions independently of his spouse, or be ridiculed when he
performs domestic tasks. A married woman may find herself in a less independent role than she is accustomed to or
may be expected to perform traditional domestic chores such as cooking or cleaning. She may also experience a
more limited social life in the community than single Volunteers (since it may be assumed that she will be busy
taking care of her husband).

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Competition between a couple may become a difficulty, especially if one spouse learns faster than the other (e.g.,
language skills, job skills). There also may be differences in job satisfaction and/or different needs between spouses.
Younger Volunteers may look to couples for advice and support.
Married couples also are likely to be treated with more respect because the community sees marriage as a
responsibility. They may be asked when they will have children.
Please note that during training, couples may live apart if they are assigned to different projects. Please consult with
your placement officer if you have any questions.
Volunteer comments:
We love living and working in Panam as a married couple. Serving with your spouse has many clear advantages.
This experience has already strengthened and added depth to our marriage in more ways than we imagined. It would
be unfair, however, to pretend that serving with your spouse comes without its distinct challenges. In our experience,
married couples can expect to live with much less privacy than in the U.S. Learning to live in closer quarters and
being prepared to play with whichever Panamanian child decides to come visit takes patience at first. But like many
things about your new life as a Volunteer, this will feel natural and comfortable before your know it.
Another challenging element to life as a married couple is dealing with unwanted attention directed at one or both
spouses. Most often this will just be an occasional whistle or stare. In an overt form, it can include having men or
women make calls at your spouse as the two of you walk by in a manner almost unheard of in the U.S. The degree to
which you will have to deal with unwanted attention depends greatly on the community you work in.
The last element wed like to note is the delicate balance between fitting in and maintaining certain customs that are
important to us as a couple. For instance, the married women and men in our site spend far less personal time with
each other than we are used to. Though professionally it might be to our advantage to hang out with the
fellas/ladies, we excuse ourselves when we feel we need some private time together. As long as you pack a dose of
patience, humility and humor, you and your spouse will enjoy the benefits of serving together.
As a married Volunteer your experience will undoubtedly be unique to that of single Volunteers. But unique is
such a vague adjective, so my wife and I have brainstormed some of what we have discovered to be advantages and
challenges of serving as a married couple.
Some advantages may be: Constant support and encouragement, familiarity (in what can be a very unfamiliar
environment), someone to share your experiences with (both while in Panam and once you go home), easier to
integrate into the community on both gender levels, you can approach people of the opposite sex with less fear of
misunderstanding as to your intentions (still, be careful to maintain appropriate boundaries; just because youre
married does not mean you will be considered off limits), opportunity to work closely with your spouse toward
common goals, the constant evaluation of your service is easier with two heads, and married Volunteers generally
have less trouble with unwanted attention and harassment than single Volunteers.
Some challenges you may encounter as a married Volunteer are: You will likely learn the language a little slower
than Volunteers who have no chance to speak English in their sites, you may be more tempted to isolate yourself and
therefore suffer in the integration process, some community members may already see you as a family unit and
therefore be less apt to take you under their wings, you may not fit into the typical Panamanian family model where
the wife is expected to stay home to cook and clean, if you have been married more than a couple of months and are
not pregnant, people may assume you are unable to conceive, at times you may struggle to find adequate privacy, and
you may even get tired of spending too much time with your spouse.

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Remember, everyones experience is unique. These are just some observations we have made, and all of the so-called
challenges can be overcome. Other Volunteers have told my wife and me on numerous occasions: You are very
lucky to have each other, and its true. Enjoy your time in Panam and enjoy each other!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much luggage am I allowed to bring to Panam?

Most airlines have baggage size and weight limits and assess charges for transport of baggage that exceeds those
limits. The Peace Corps has its own size and weight limits and will not pay the cost of transport for baggage that
exceeds these limits. The Peace Corps allowance is two checked pieces of luggage with combined dimensions of
both pieces not to exceed 107 inches (length + width + height) and a carry-on bag with dimensions of no more than
45 inches. Checked baggage should not exceed 80 pounds total with a maximum weight of 50 pounds for any one
bag.
Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take pets, weapons, explosives, radio transmitters (shortwave radios are
permitted), automobiles, or motorcycles to their overseas assignments. Do not pack flammable materials or liquids
such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers. This is an important safety precaution.
Please check the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for a detailed list of permitted and prohibited
items at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm.
What is the electric current in Panam?

It is 110 volts, 60 cycles AC (the standard in the United States). Many Volunteers do not have electricity in their
homes or have it for only a few hours a day.
How much money should I bring?

Volunteers are expected to live at the same level as the people in their community. You will be given a settling-in
allowance and a monthly living allowance, which should cover your expenses. Often Volunteers wish to bring
additional money for vacation travel to other countries. Credit cards, ATM cards, and travelers checks are preferable
to cash. If you choose to bring extra money, bring the amount that will suit your own travel plans and needs.
When can I take vacation and have people visit me?

Each Volunteer accrues two vacation days per month of service (excluding training). Leave may not be taken during
training, the first three months of service, or the last three months of service, except in conjunction with an authorized
emergency leave. Family and friends are welcome to visit you after pre-service training and the first three months of
service as long as their stay does not interfere with your work. Extended stays at your site are not encouraged and
may require permission from your country director. The Peace Corps is not able to provide your visitors with visa,
medical, or travel assistance.
Will my belongings be covered by insurance?

The Peace Corps does not provide insurance coverage for personal effects; Volunteers are ultimately responsible for
the safekeeping of their personal belongings. However, you can purchase personal property insurance before you
leave. If you wish, you may contact your own insurance company; additionally, insurance application forms will be
provided, and we encourage you to consider them carefully. Volunteers should not ship or take valuable items
overseas. Jewelry, watches, radios, cameras, and expensive appliances are subject to loss, theft, and breakage, and in
many places, satisfactory maintenance and repair services are not available.
Do I need an international drivers license?

Volunteers in Panam do not need an international drivers license because they are prohibited from operating
privately owned motorized vehicles. Most urban travel is by bus or taxi. Rural travel ranges from buses and
minibuses to trucks, bicycles, and lots of walking. On very rare occasions, a Volunteer may be asked to drive a
sponsors vehicle, but this can occur only with prior written permission of the country director.
Should this occur, the Volunteer may obtain a local drivers license. A U.S. drivers license will facilitate the process,
so bring it with you just in case.

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What should I bring as gifts for Panam friends and my host family?
This is not a requirement. A token of friendship is sufficient. Some gift suggestions include knickknacks for the
house; pictures, books, or calendars of American scenes; souvenirs from your area; hard candies that will not melt or
spoil; or photos to give away.
Where will my site assignment be when I finish training and how isolated will I be?
Peace Corps trainees are not assigned to individual sites until during pre-service training. This gives Peace Corps staff
the opportunity to assess each trainees technical and language skills prior to assigning sites, in addition to finalizing
site selections with their ministry counterparts. If feasible, you may have the opportunity to provide input on your site
preferences, including geographical location, distance from other Volunteers, and living conditions. However, keep in
mind that many factors influence the site selection process and that the Peace Corps cannot guarantee placement
where you would ideally like to be. Most Volunteers live in small towns or in rural villages and are usually within
one or two hours from another Volunteer. Some sites require as much as a 16 hours of travel from the capital. There
is at least one Volunteer Leader based in each of the regional capitals.
How can my family contact me in an emergency?

The Peace Corps Office of Special Services provides assistance in handling emergencies affecting trainees and
Volunteers or their families. Before leaving the United States, instruct your family to notify the Office of Special
Services immediately if an emergency arises, such as a serious illness or death of a family member. During normal
business hours, the number for the Office of Special Services is 800.424.8580; select option 2, then extension 1470.
After normal business hours and on weekends and holidays, the Special Services duty officer can be reached at the
above number. For nonemergency questions, your family can get information from your country desk staff at the
Peace Corps by calling 800.424.8580.
Can I call home from Panam?

International phone service to and from Panam is good. You can call collect from any public phone or use a major
calling card such as those offered by AT&T, MCI, and Sprint. Most Volunteers have a phone in their house, their
town, or a nearby town.
Should I bring a cellular phone with me?

It is often more expensive to reprogram a cellular phone from the United States than to purchase one in Panam.
Cellular phones are widely available and reasonably priced in Panam, but many Volunteers live at sites outside of
their signal range.
Will there be email and Internet access?

Should I bring my computer?
Internet access in Panam is spreading. All provincial capitals and many other large towns have Internet cafes.
Connection speeds tend to be slow, but the service is reasonably priced and otherwise reliable. Internet access for
Volunteers is available free at the Peace Corps/Panam office. Some Volunteers can access the Internet in their
homes, but this is the exception. A few Volunteers have computers of their own, but most do not. Computers are
probably more useful for community economic development Volunteers than those in other projects. Laptops are
preferable. If your site has no electricity, it will be hard to charge the battery unless you bring a solar battery and
charger. A voltage regulator is also a necessity.

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WELCOME LETTERS FROM
PANAMA VOLUNTEERS
Congratulations! Take a moment to silently thank your placement officer because landing a position with Peace
Corps Panama is like hitting the jackpot. Panama is spectacularly rich in biodiversity, the many cultures of the
Panamanian people are unique gems, and the Peace Corps post is brimming with dedicated and innovative staff and
volunteers.
Panama has the highest GDP per capita in Central America, but it also has the second greatest income disparity in
Latin America (after Brazil). What does this mean for Peace Corps volunteers? In a country full of natural and human
resources, our job is less about technical expertise and more about assisting poor Panamanians in utilizing their own
resources more efficiently. This idea is near and dear to my heart.
I arrived to my forested, mountain community fresh out of ten weeks of intensive technical and cultural training in the
Community Environmental Conservation sector. From day one I was impressed by the knowledge and expertise of
my community members in areas ranging from worm composting to small business management to coffee roasting.
Every day I was learning something new from my neighbors: hat weaving, chocolate processing, and new composting
techniques, creative ways to reutilize trash (have you ever seen flowers growing out of old rubber boots?). I often
questioned my ability to provide assistance.
However, sooner than later I realized that many of these skills were not being shared between community members.
How is it that my counter-part is an expert in organic agriculture but no one has requested his support to combat
plagues in the school garden? I also started to meet regional agencies and organizations with expertise that were not
reaching those who needed their assistance in my community. Fortunately, Peace Corps training provided me with the
tools necessary to connect community members to the knowledge and resources that they needed. By means of
leadership and group dynamics training, interactive teaching methods, monitoring and evaluation of activities, and
drinking many cups of sweet coffee on many porches, we are all becoming more connected. Now, women who never
spoke to each other before share tomato seeds, gardening techniques and composting recipes. Previously
independently functioning tourism groups are working together and with the Panamanian tourism authority to
promote ecotourism to a larger public. Environmental education is extending beyond the classroom to the parents and
neighborhoods of the students. It is a slow process that has required persistence and patience, but I feel good about
the results of our efforts.
It was only sixteen months ago that I tore open my own Peace Corps Panama welcome packet. My stomach was
doing flips and I was desperately re-reading everything to try to get a glimpse of my future self in the words that were
written. Now I am sitting at the table that my friends in the ecotourism group lovingly made for me out of left over
plywood. My little cat is stretched out on my front porch. I just made brownies in my toaster oven to share with the
neighbors who have become like family to me. At school today the third graders and I made a mural to celebrate the
Day of the Environment using the bark from palm trees and colorful leaves as adornment. This evening Ill walk up to
a community farm to see if I can buy root vegetables for a stew. Engrossed in pre-Peace Corps stress and worry, I
never imagined that only a year into my service I would feel so comfortable and at home in such a foreign place. You
will too.
Of course the Peace Corps is not all milk and honey. There have been moments when Ive never felt so lonely. Days
when no one shows up for your big meeting, when there are cockroaches in your oatmeal, and when you watch an
abandoned dog suffer on the path to town. These difficult experiences become easier to manage over time. And the
lows are counter-balanced by the almost constant highs. Generous gifts of fruit and coffee from your community
members, kids yelling your name as you walk into school each morning, sweet siestas on rainy afternoons, deep
bonds of shared experiences in the Peace Corps Panama community, jungle hikes, brilliant lightning stormsevery
day here is a blessing.

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You have two years.
See you soon,
CEC Volunteer, Kayla Bordelon
Welcome and Congratulations! You now have the opportunity before you to enjoy the hardest and best 2 (or maybe
3) years of your life. Let me explain. A few months ago, two of my best friends from the U.S. came to visit me here
in my community in Panama. They told me that usually when people back home mention my name, its with a poor
her/toughing it out in the Peace Corps/pray for her kind of comment tagged on. They told me that after visiting me
though, they did not feel sorry for me at all. They said I was completely in my element here and thriving. I couldnt
agree more. I wake up everyday, walk out to stare up at a beautiful volcano, enjoy my 70 degree all the time weather
(oh yeah, its not all jungle down here), see every person I pass on the street happy to see my face, and hear kids yell
out my name as I pass by (and sometimes adults too). I have no 9 to 5. Every day is a new adventure and even after
a year here Im learning new things, seeing new things, and trying new things all the time.
Down here in Panama, as a Community Environmental Conservation Volunteer, I teach environmental education in
a few different elementary schools, work with an environmental group, an agricultural association, and do some work
with youth groups and teaching English. Of course, I usually find that my schedule fills up pretty fast because I
always receive so many invitations to birthday parties, baptisms, planning committees, various meetings, and every
other sort of event. The local mayor is surprised how often he runs into me.
I have found that the work is slow going, and you may find that you dont immediately achieve all the goals that you
want. I dont think I can possibly leave an impact on my community as strong as the one theyve left on me. I was
getting bored and frustrated with a big, unfriendly city in the U.S, boring office work, and neighbors I didnt even
know. I now find myself in a small town where everyone is eager to have me come over and visit, feed me dinner,
take me on family trips with them, or even just have me sit there with them while they watch their favorite
telenovelas. I may be far from my family, but I have a whole town taking care of me.
You are going to have hard moments, you are going to cry, you are going to eat something that makes you sick, and
you are going to get bitten by something that makes you sick. But if you can keep an open mind and an open heart,
accept all those random invitations, speak Spanish even when you feel like you cant, and eat all that food that is
given to you, you just might find that you have family you didnt even know about in a small town in the isthmus of
Panama, and room in your heart for a whole town (or even a whole country).
CEC Volunteer, Abigail Furnish

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Buenas! Congratulations. You are about to embark on the most character building, interesting, challenging and
exciting adventure of your life. You will see and experience things that will leave you simply breathless, curious and
excited. You will be challenged in ways that you never fathomed possible while feeling thoroughly fulfilled as your
self-set goals are achieved.
It is completely normal to be full of anxiety and curiosity at this stage. Being open to everything new and ridding
yourself of expectations will help with the adjustment period. With an open mind, the opportunities are endless in the
Peace Corps. The training that you are about to receive, although it is tough, it will help answer many if not all of the
questions that you may have, which should be miles long.
I have been in the Panama since August, and I am thankful everyday that I have chosen this as my career path. I am in
the Community and Economic Development sector working in an indigenous (Comarca Ngabe Bugle) community in
the mountains of Chiriqu. My focuses are forming a womans savings and loan group, working with the multi-
service cooperative, and working with the school. My primary focus is the savings and loan group that I am working
to form. It is comprised of 20 women in my community who come together every other week to socialize, enjoy
themselves and learn the importance to future planning and savings. At each meeting all members save $0.50. The
idea is that with time and savings knowledge, the woman will be able to use their money saved for loans in order to
achieve their future dreams. This group functions very similar to a bank, however here there is no outside influence
and all of the money and ideas are theirs. This helps to empower the woman by providing them with not only money,
but knowledge on the importance of family and future planning; allowing them to realize their dreams and allowing
them to express themselves in ways they would not have done otherwise.
This will without a doubt be the fullest 2 years of your life. The time goes by faster than ever before. Be sure to bring
whatever hobbies you might enjoy doing, whether it is music, sports, etc. and open mind, motivation, excitement, and
a passion to succeed, the possibilities are endless.
Congratulations again, see you soon!
CED Volunteer, Andrea Goddard
Welcome to Panama! So you got the letter saying that youre heading to Panama, and if youre like me you
immediately started researching everything you could find out about the country: theres some kind of canal
theretheyve got those hatsVan Halen sang that songand the US invaded the country at some point. Dont
worry! From one former Trainee to the new training group, I must say that Panama is an amazing country, and youll
quickly fall in love with it. In Panama youll find beautiful vistas, abundant wildlife, and friendly, generous people.
I am one of the 35 Environmental Health (EH) Project Volunteers working in Panama and we work with communities
to manage water and sanitation systems, organize community groups, and promote local health and hygiene
education. We live in some of the most remote parts of Panama. Most EH Volunteers live in communities without
electricity, and many live in communities without running water or latrines. However, these remote locations are also
some of the most beautiful and unknown places in all of Panama.
I live in the mountains of central Panama in a rural community of 240 people. My community is surrounded by green
jungle, small streams, and waterfalls. The people in my community are farmers who grow rice, corn, yuca, oranges,
pineapples, and coffee. Ive been working with my community to improve the quality of the water that they collect
from springs and shallow wells around the community. This includes developing new water sources, improving old
water sources, and teaching families how to treat water with chlorine to remove bacteria. I hope that the community
will eventually see a reduction in the number of diseases and parasites.

36
The key to success in your community is integration, by living and working side-by-side with the people in your
community you better learn their needs, and develop trust. Youll find that its easier to become friends with the
people in your community than you expect, no matter what level of Spanish you speak.
Congratulations and welcome to Panama!
EH, Joshua Durant
Congratulations, you have made a wonderful decision to set out on an adventure of a lifetime. This is an adventure
that will surprise you in so many ways and expand your soul and mind.
It will be challenging. But it is the most rewarding job I could ever wish to have.
Although there are hard times and there are moments when I might wish that for a moment I were back in my bed at
home in the United States, I would not change my decision to come to serve in Panama for anything in the world. My
community is my home too, and my neighbors my family, too.
I am a Sustainable Agriculture Systems volunteer working in an indigenous Ngabe community in the beautiful yet
rainy province of Bocas del Toro.
My life is quite beautiful. I wake up to an incredible view of the sunrise over the Caribbean ocean dotted with the
exquisite islands of Bocas del Toro. I make myself a pot of hot chocolate from cacao beans from my neighbors farm,
that I toasted and ground by hand, the previous afternoon. My neighbors are already up and moving, bantering with
each other in the indigenous language, Ngabere, heading out to wash their clothes in the stream or to look for
firewood to cook the coffee.
I primarily work with farmers to improve their cacao (the tree that chocolate comes from) production to sell to
international chocolate producers. We work on maintenance through pruning and grafting as well as post harvest
production. Before arriving, I was a dark chocolate fanatic, but I knew nothing about maintenance of the tree itself, let
alone how to make chocolate from such a fruit. The Peace Corps has provided me and connected me with incredible
training and I continue to learn daily while working with the producers in my community. I also work with a large
group of families in my community on home gardens, fish tanks and chicken projects for protein production close to
home, and hopefully in the next few months, goats! My main goal is to help my community secure nutritious food for
their families through production for both home consumption and sales outside of the community.
But dont worry if you are like me and dont like being restricted to just one type of job, there are plenty of
opportunities. Outside of agriculture, I work with a womens artisan group, help with a nearby aqueduct project, teach
English in the schools, teach knitting to a group of women, bake birthday cakes for families, and give lots of health
presentations and advice on everything from nutrition to sex and HIV/AIDS education. The choices are up to you and
this experience is what you make of it.
What to expect? Well, expect an adventure. Everyday is interesting. You may be anywhere from the depths of the
Darien jungle, to the cowboy lands of the Azuero Peninsula, to the traditional lands of the Indigenous Ngabe, eating
boiled green bananas and learning a new language other than Spanish. You may be in a large community of 3,000
people or a small community that consists of just 150 community members. You may work with Latinos, or with one
of the many Panamanian Indigenous groups including the Ngabe-Bugle, Naso Teribe, or the Embera or Wounaan.
You may have electricity, running water, television and if you are really envied by other Peace Corps volunteers,
internet. Or you may be like me without electricity or running water, but happy as a clam with my candles and shower
made from a rainwater collection system and composting bucket latrine. What I found most helpful was to keep my
mind open without too many expectations beyond a desire to learn, explore and experience.

37
What to bring along. You can buy anything your heart desires here in Panama, so try and pack light. There is even a
mall in Panama City where you can buy Keen shoes and camping gear. In the bigger grocery store aisles, you can buy
anything from organic soy milk powder to Oreos and flaxseed. Your clothes will mold. But this is an adventure and
an experience of a lifetime.
Some of the best advice I ever received was that things I worried about most, became something that I never should
have worried about. I remember being worried leaving that I would get bit by a snake and stung by a scorpion. Well,
you become skilled at killing scorpions with a machete cleanly chopping of the tail with the stinger, and those worries
become of the more miniscule things. When you are having a sad day, get out of your house and see your people, they
usually have a way of brightening your day. The children will adore you. I walk down my path and have children
calling out my name left and right, running towards me with open arms and a big smile, asking me to twirl them
around high up into the sky. They will love you too.
Every community and Peace Corps experience is different and although we each share many experiences in common,
what hits me most often is that I am having experiences that no one else will ever have exactly the same.
So pack light and get ready to enjoy your time here. We look forward to meeting you and wish you the best of luck.
Welcome to Panama!
SAS Volunteer, Katherine Selting
Welcome to Panama! I know that when I first received my welcome letter and package I thought, Panama arent
they a fairly developed country? Why do they need my help there? At that time the only thing I really knew about
Panama was that it was home to the famous Panama Canal & Noriega. Now as I sit in my house among the other
people in this large Ngobe community I understand why Peace Corps sent me here. Panama City may be a very
large, metropolitan and modern place, but the rest of Panama definitely still needs the assistance of Peace Corps
Volunteers. I feel incredibly blessed that they chose to send me here.
My community is a large indigenous community of 2,500 people that is located on the tip of a peninsula that is only
accessible by boat. Most indigenous communities are only about 100 to 300 people so Im in a bit of an odd
situation. The hardest part of being in a large community is getting to know the people in the area and learning who
the motivated people are within the town that can help you discover and implement the changes that may be needed
in that community. Compared to that, getting used to bucket bathes and no electricity was a piece of cake. However,
with patience, perseverance and a lot of pasearing (visits) you will make the connections you need and even some
friends along the way.
I am a part of the Tourism and English Advising team here in Panama and I love my work. There is a school of 650
students in my community and I am currently helping the colegio (high school) students improve their English levels
via morning labs and also holding adult English classes at night for the people in the community and the teachers.
Im also helping the current English teachers improve their teaching skills through formal and informal training
sessions.
Watching the students and adults improve their English levels gives me an incredible sense of joy and I cant even
begin to describe the happiness it brings me when they greet me on the path by saying Hello teacher. Ive had
many members of the community tell me how important it is for them to learn English because it helps them to get
the jobs they need in the tourism industry as well as work with the tourists that visit the other communities out here
on the peninsula. You are in for the adventure of a lifetime and I hope that you experience the same amount of joy
that I am experiencing during my Peace Corps experience. Buena Suerte!
TEA Volunteer, Joana Seliga

38
PACKING LIST
This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Panam and is based on their experience. Use it as an informal
guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You obviously
cannot bring everything on the list, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and
professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have
an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything you need in Panam. A final
suggestion: If in doubt, leave it out.
For luggage in general, duffel bags and backpacks are much more practical than suitcases. Rolling suitcases are not
practical for Panam. Be sure to put the following items in a carry-on bag for quick and easy access once you arrive
in Panam: passport, baggage-claim tickets, customs forms, World Health Organization card, and immunization
records.
Because of the heat and humidity, cotton fabric is always a good idea, especially for underwear. Outdoor clothing
with fabric that wicks away moisture can be useful, however cotton-synthetic blends also hold their shape and are
cooler to wear. Clothing will probably be subject to harsh washing (many Volunteers wash their clothes on rocks) and
rugged work and climatic conditions, so be sure to select durable items. Do not bring clothes made of delicate
materials.
Panam has clothing stores throughout all areas of the country. Attractive, practical clothing will be readily available
for purchase at very affordable prices. Outdoor gear such as sleeping mats, headlamps, etc., will be more difficult (but
not impossible) to locate in Panam, as well as high-quality footwear, so when deciding what to bring it is
recommended that you prioritize those items over clothing. Finally, bring what you know you will need to be happy,
but base your decisions primarily on the type of work you will be doing and your probable living conditions. Do not
bring anything that you would be heartbroken to lose.
General Clothing
3 or 4 pairs of casual pants (quick-dry pants, cargo pants, jeans, etc.)
1 or 2 pairs of nicer pants or skirts for swearing-in ceremony, meetings, office visits, etc.
1 to 3 pairs of shorts below the knees or caprise
2 outdoor work shirts (that you wont mind ruining over time)
4 shirts or blouses for everyday, comfortable wear
3 nicer shirts/ polo-shirts or short sleeved shirt for meetings, office visits, etc.
1 sweater or thermal shirt
At least 1 bathing suit
4 or 5 pairs of socks
Two-week supply of underwear (boxer shorts and nice bras are harder to find in Panam)
2 or 3 outdoor long-sleeved work shirt
Hat and bandanna

39
Shoes
Comfortable dress shoes (especially during training, we ask you to wear professional, but comfortable shoes
daily)
Hiking shoes (Many Volunteers use rubber boots, which can be found in Panam)
Running shoes or sneakers
Casual shoes to wear while at home (e.g., Chacos, Tevas, or Keens)
Comfortable dress shoes
Note: The following clothing are generally not acceptable, especially during training, in professional settings, or in your
community. However, you may wear these items in your house: short shorts (above the knee); spagetti strap tank
tops; flips-flops.
Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items
Miscellaneous
This Welcome Book
Your Volunteer Assignment Description (part of your invitation packet)
Extra pair of glasses (if you wear them)
Three-month supply of any prescription drugs you take, along with copies of the prescriptions
The following items are strongly recommended to bring or purchase once you arrive in Panam:
Jump drive/ USB memory stick
Umbrella (good, small, sturdy, compact one) or a loose, lightweight poncho
Small, sturdy backpack for short trips
Small flashlight (head lamps and LED lamps are hard to find in Panam, although standard hand-held
flashlights are easy to find)
Start-up supply of toiletries
1 bath towel (quick-dry recommended), 1 beach towel and a sarong (if you prefer)
Travel alarm clock
Water-resistant and shockproof watch
Digital camera
The following items are less necessary, but you may want to consider bringing or to purchase once you arrive in
Panam:
Pocketknife/ multi-purpose tool (e.g., Leatherman)
Inexpensive jewelry
Tampons (available in Panam, but in larger cities only)
CD player/ iPod
Hand sanitizer (gel)
Small padlocks (for your luggage)

40
Photos of family, friends, and your home in the States (for you, but also to show community members
where you are from; consider laminating them)
World map (also to show community members where you are from)
Sleeping pad to use while traveling (Therm-a-Rest may be difficult to find in Panam)
100 percent cotton sheets or lightweight sleeping bag
Any items for your personal interests or hobbies (e.g., guitar, snorkel gear, bird-watching guide, knitting
needles, etc.)
Batteries, razors, kerosene burners, and kitchen supplies are all readily available in Panam, so do not bring
these.
Internationally calling cards are also inexpensive and easy to purchase in Panam.
You do not need to bring basic healthcare products (such as sun block, bug repellant, vitamins [unless you
have a specific brand or preference], band-aids, etc.) or a mosquito net as these are provided by Peace
Corps/Panam. The Peace Corps will also provide you with a Spanish-English dictionary and grammar book, as
well as the book 501 Spanish Verbs when you arrive for training.

41
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST
The following list consists of suggestions for you to consider as you prepare to live outside the United States for two
years. Not all items will be relevant to everyone, and the list does not include everything you should make
arrangements for.
Family
Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps Office of Special Services at any time if there is a critical
illness or death of a family member (24-hour telephone number: 800.424.8580, extension 1470.
Give the Peace Corps On the Home Front handbook to family and friends.
Passport/Travel
Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork for the Peace Corps passport and visas.
Verify that luggage meets the size and weight limits for international travel.
Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after your service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will
expire three months after you finish your service, so if you plan to travel longer, you will need a regular
passport.)
Medical/Health
Complete any needed dental and medical work.
If you wear glasses, bring two pairs.
Arrange to bring a three-month supply of all medications (including birth control pills) you are currently
taking.
Insurance
Make arrangements to maintain life insurance coverage.
Arrange to maintain supplemental health coverage while you are away. (Even though the Peace Corps is
responsible for your healthcare during Peace Corps service overseas, it is advisable for people who have
preexisting conditions to arrange for the continuation of their supplemental health coverage. If there is a
lapse in supplemental health coverage, it is often difficult and expensive to be reinstated.)
Arrange to continue Medicare coverage if applicable.
Personal Papers
Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.
Voting
Register to vote in the state of your home of record. (Many state universities consider voting and payment
of state taxes as evidence of residence in that state.)
Obtain a voter registration card and take it with you overseas.
Arrange to have an absentee ballot forwarded to you overseas.
Personal Effects
Purchase personal property insurance to extend from the time you leave your home for service overseas
until the time you complete your service and return to the United States.

42
Financial Management
Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or loan service.
Execute a power of attorney for the management of your property and business.
Arrange for deductions from your readjustment allowance to pay alimony, child support, and other debts
through the Office of Volunteer Financial Operations at 800.424.8580, extension 1770.
Place all important papersmortgages, deeds, stocks, and bondsin a safe deposit box or with an
attorney or other caretaker.
Financial Management
Keep a bank account in your name in the U.S.
Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or loan service.
Execute a Power of Attorney for the management of your property and business.
Arrange for deductions from your readjustment allowance to pay alimony, child support, and other debts through
the Office of Volunteer Financial Operations at 800.424.8580, extension 1770.
Place all important papersmortgages, deeds, stocks, and bondsin a safe deposit box or with an attorney or
other caretaker.

43
CONTACTING PEACE CORPS HEADQUARTERS
This list of numbers will help connect you with the appropriate office at Peace Corps headquarters to answer various
questions. You can use the toll-free number and extension or dial directly using the local numbers provided. Be sure
to leave the toll-free number and extensions with your family so they can contact
you in the event of an emergency.
Peace Corps Headquarters Toll-free Number:

800-424-8580, Press 2, and then Ext. # (see below)
Peace Corps Mailing Address:

Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters
1111 20th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20526
Placement Office/Responding to an Invitation:

202-692-1840 / or ext 1840
Country Information:
Abby Kardel, Country Desk Assistant 202-692-5209, akardel@peacecorps.gov, ext 5209
Cicely Wolters, Country Desk Assistant, 202-692-2512, cwolters@peacecorps.gov, ext 2512
Country Desk Officer: Dawn Hodge, 202-692-2517, dhodge@peacecorps.gov , ext 2517
SATO Travel (questions about plate tickets, passports, travel matters, etc):
202-692-1170 / or ext 1170
*Legal Clearance Office of Placement:

202-692-1845 / ext 1845
*Medical Clearance Screening Nurse:

202-692-1500 / ext 1500
*Dental Clearance Questions:

202-692-1507 / ext 1507
Medical Reimbursements, handled by Subcontractor:

800-818-8772
Loan Deferments, Taxes, Readjustment Allowance, Power of Attorney, etc:

202-692-1770 / ext 1770
Family Emergencies (to get information to a Volunteer overseas)/Office of Special Services:

202-692-1470 / ext 1470 (24 hours)
*If you have had any recent medical, dental, or legal changes then please contact the proper office(s).
PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA

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Peace Corps Panama Welcome Book September 2009

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Peace Corps Panama Welcome Book September 2009

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THE PEACE CORPS WELCOMES YOU TO

A PEACE CORPS PUBLICATION FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS

Dear Panam Invitee:

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

A WELCOME LETTER .......................................................................................................................... 1

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

History of the Peace Corps in Panam

History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Panam

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

People and Culture

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

General Information About Panama

Connect With Returned Volunteers and Other Invitees

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Online Articles/Current News Sites About Panam

International Development Sites About Panam

Recommended Books about Panam

Books About the History of the Peace Corps

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Books on the Volunteer Experience

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Computer, Internet, and E-mail Access

Housing and Site Location

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Living Allowance and Money Management

Food and Diet

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Rewards and Frustrations

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

PEACE CORPS TRAINING

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Panamas competencies include the following:

1. Integrate into the Peace Corps Organization

2. Integrate into the community

4. Facilitate participatory community development

Sector Specific Competencies

1. Community Economic Development

2. Improve internal organizational efficiency and effectiveness

3. Design and manage community projects and business plans

1. Promote health and hygiene practices

2. Manage water systems

3. Manage sanitation systems

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Formal opportunities for ongoing learning in Panama include the following:

1. First Trimester Regional Meeting one day between January 26 thru 29

2. Reconnect In-Service Training February 22-26

3. Project Management and Leadership March 22-25

4. Annual Volunteer Conference tentatively April 7-9

5. 2nd Trimester Regional Meeting one day between June 7-11

6. 3rd Trimester Regional Meeting one day between September 27-30

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Health Issues in Panam

Helping You Stay Healthy

Maintaining Your Health

PEACE CORPS | WELCOME BOOK | PANAMA |

Womens Health Information

Your Peace Corps Medical Kit

Medical Kit Contents

American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook

Antacid tablets (Tums)

Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B)